Bound to be Tempted: Emergence, Book 4 Read Free

nerves. He kept one hand on her lower back, grounding her. And he leaned down to her ear to whisper, “Still okay?”
    “Yes, Sir.”
    “Good.” He tucked another lock of hair behind her ear and caressed her cheek. “Use the word yellow if I go too fast.”
    “Yes, Sir.” He wasn’t too fast at all. In fact, she longed for more than he was giving her. But she wouldn’t ask for it. The idea shocked her and scared her at the same time.
    Steve firmed his hold on her back and spanked her two more times at the juncture of her thighs and ass.
    She flinched, a natural reflex, nothing more. Warmth spread up her back and down her thighs. It felt good.
    “Your ass is so sexy like this, all pink.” Steve rubbed the skin with his palms, his thumbs grazing the undersides of her cheeks, making her stiffen as they got closer to her sex. She wasn’t ready for more than the spanking tonight. Sex was the farthest thing from her mind. It would take an entirely different level of subspace for her to submit sexually to a man.
    Steve must have read the signs, because he backed off and resumed swatting her just enough to make her fully aware of his contact, but not enough to inflict any real pain.
    Perfect.
    Just what she needed for her first foray with a man. He wasn’t the firmest Dom, but he was educated enough to recognize her needs, especially her hesitation. And for that she was grateful.
    Steve stroked her warm skin for several minutes, loosening his touch until he lowered her skirt over her butt and then rounded to face her again. “You okay?”
    “I’m good. Thank you, Sir.”
    “Thank you . I enjoyed our time.” He helped her off the bench and settled her on her feet, still holding her hand.
    She wasn’t so deep into subspace that she couldn’t manage on her own.
    “Perhaps we could do it again sometime?”
    “Maybe.” She smiled at him, not wanting to commit to anything right then. She nodded toward the bar. “I’m going to get some water. Thanks again.”
    “No problem.” Steve released her fingers as she walked away.
    As soon as she stepped out of the alcove, she practically ran right into Carlton.
    He grabbed her shoulders to steady her.
    “Geez. Did you stand there the entire time?” she asked. Her heart rate accelerated as his enormous presence surrounded her, nothing at all like Steve’s gentle, easygoing manner.
    “I did.” His look was wary, his eyes narrowed. “I wanted to be sure you were safe.”
    “I’m fine.” She smoothed her hands down her skirt, shaking a bit from the endorphins.
    Carlton leaned back, still holding her shoulders, and glanced up and down her frame. “You need a firmer Dom.”
    “Really? And you’re an expert on this?” She planted her hands on her hips, trying to keep from shaking and hold her own against Carlton’s high-handedness.
    He nodded. “Yes. I see what you’re doing. You just got your feet wet. Dipped your toes in the water. That guy wasn’t strong enough for you.”
    “I’ll keep that in mind.” She rolled her eyes and squirmed to get out of his clutches. He was potent and distracting her to the core. She rationalized it was probably because she’d so recently come out of a scene, but she needed some distance from this suddenly overbearing Carlton who’d gotten in her face twice tonight.
    She wiggled free and ducked out of his hands to head for the bar, leaving him standing there.
    She could feel his stare penetrating her backside, and she had the urge to smooth her skirt down again and ensure it truly covered her ass. Even though Carlton had seen every inch of her skin in the past, he hadn’t ever been the Dom to control it.
    Why did it feel like he’d topped her with his gaze alone?
    Carlton wiped his palms on his jeans as he stepped into the nave of St. Vincent’s Cathedral. He made his way to the left side and took a seat on the back row as he’d done so many times over the years.
    There were only a half-dozen people inside the church this